Means for use in stenciling and the like



em $5 11953 W. iMEWR MEANS FOR USE IN STENCILlNG AND THE, LEE

5? Sheacmgmmwm 1 Filed July 2, 1952 INVENTOR- WI Hid m J- New MEANS FOR USE IN STENCILING AND THE LIKE Filed July 2, 1952. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. William :1 Kerr Patented Sept. 15, 1953 MEANS FOR USE AND THE IN STENGILING LIKE William J. Kerr, Warren, Ohio Application July 2, 1952, Serial No. 296,805

2 Claims.

My invention relates to means for use in stencillin and the like and the principal object of my invention is to provide new and improved means for such use.

The usual procedure in the art of stenciling is to properly perforate a piece of thin sheet-metal, parchment, paper, or the like so that when the produced stencil is laid flat-wise on a surface and paint or ink is applied over the upper surface of the stencil, a pattern is applied to the surface in accordance with the perforations of the stencil.

The usual procedure is acceptable in instances where relatively small-size stencilling is done and where the stencilling job requires few changes in the subject matter to be portrayed.

The problem of stencilling becomes more acute in job-shop lettering, especially where relatively large letters are required. In large stencils, the flexibility of the stencil material offers many disadvantages, both from handling and storage standpoints. Also, in job-shop lettering, a different stencil is usually required for each job. Further, since available surface areas quite frequently dictate the size of the lettering, in many instances a plurality of stencils are required even in cases where the same legend is lettered in a multiplicity of places.

My invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and provides means especially advantageous for use in lettering relatively large legends, as in warnings frequently painted on the travelled roads, or in signs lettered on smokestacks, buildings, bill-boards and the like.

Through use of my invention it is possible to adapt the legend, sign, or other designation to the available surface space, without requiring a new stencil for each job. Further, the legend may be expanded or contracted either longitudinally or laterally to fit the surface and/or to make the legend more legible.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application there is shown, for purposes of illustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume, and in such drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a device embodying my invention, and shown as applied to the lett A,

Figure 2 is a perspective view, drawn to a smaller scale, showing the embodiment disclosed in Figure 1, but with parts omitted to better illustrate the construction,

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of parts of the embodiment disclosed in Figures 1 and 2,

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view corresponding generally to the line 44 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 shows several forms of the numeral 5, as provided by my invention,

Figure 6 shows several forms of the letter A, as provided by my invention, and

Figure '7 shows a slightly modified form of construction.

With reference to the drawings, the embodiment of my invention therein disclosed is applied to construction forming the letter A but it will be appreciated that my invention may be applied to similar construction to form any other letter of the alphabet, or to numerals as suggested in Figure 5, or to indicia, symbols and like items of any kind.

As seen particularly in Figure 1, the embodiment of the invention comprises a frame I0 which is generally flat and which may be disposed flat-wise on a surface upon which the stencil is to be applied. By the term fiat I do not intend to exclude an arcuate frame which can be applied against a correspondingly curved.

The frame In comprises a frame body H, bestseen in Figure 2. This body may be made of flat strip, as of metal, plastic, or other suitable;

material having the necessary rigidity, and in the presently disclosed embodiment the strip is.

metal.

The body is formed of a plurality of strip sec-- tions which are contoured and which cooperate As seen.

with each other to form the letter A. in Figure 2, the body is formed of a pair of iden-- tical, reversely disposed, outer boomerang-shaped. sections [2 and a pair of identical, reversely disposed, inner boomerang-shaped sections l2a of smaller size than the outer sections, and these sections are held in properly spaced relation by tie-connectors 14, each presently in the form of an arched rod having its terminal ends welded or otherwise suitably secured to respective sections I2, l2a.

Cooperating with the sections [212, 12a is a pair of reversely disposed angle sections l5--l5. As seen in Figure 2, each of the sections Ha, Ha and l5, 15 has a relatively straight portion for a,

purpose to appear later. Certain terminal portions of the sections [2a, lZa are directed toward each other, and in Figure 2 are shown in abutting relationship, as at 16, although such terminal portions are capable of movement away from each other. Likewise, terminal portions of the sections I5, l5 are shown abutting in Figure However, in most cases.

' from each other.

2, as at II, but are capable of movement away from each other.

Terminal portions of respective sections l2a, l5 are shown in abutting relation in Figure 2, as at E8, but also are capable of movement away from each other, and terminal portions of sections I2, l2 abut at I9 but may be moved away from each other.

Relatively straight strips 20, are generally aligned with legs of the sections [2, 2 with terminal portions in abutment, as shown at 2|, but capable of movement away from each other.

The strips 2G, 20 are aligned with outer legs of respective U -shaped sections 22, 22, with terminal portions abutting, as at 23, but movable away The inner legs of the sections 22, 22 are generally aligned with legs of respective angle sections 24, 24 with terminal portions abutting, as at 23a, 23a, generally in alignment with abutting portionsat 23, 23. The angle seotions 24, 24 have terminal margins abutting as shown at 25.

Arched tie-connectors 2'8, 26 connect angle sec tions 15 to respective angle sections 24, and tieconnectors 2i, 2? connect strips 29, 2e to res ective connectors 26, 25.

It will be apparent that the frame body it of the letter A, shown in Figure 2, is formed of sections so that it may be expanded in both directions. A connection is made between various of the sections so that respective terminal portions it, 11, I9, 2|, '23, 23a and may be moved toward and away from'each other to provide for expansion and contraction of the frame body ii.

Figure 3 shows a presently preferred connection and it will be understood that a connection of this kind will be made between the respective straight parts of the various cooperating sections. For purposes of illustration, the connection shown in Figure 3 will be considered the connection made between the straight facing parts of the sections l2, l2. As shown in Figure 3, a plate 28 is secured to each of the straight portions [2b of the facing parts of the sections l2, l2, and such plates may be spot-welded or otherwise suitably secured in place. Each plate 28 extends inwardly from the terminal portion l9 and is apertured, as at 29, adjacent to the respective terminal portion. Preferably, each portion l2b is provided with an aperture in alignment with the aperture 29.

Each plate is of less width than the section to which it is attached so as to form side steps or inwardly off-set longitudinal edges 36, as clearly shown in Figure 3. A connecting plate 3i, generally of channel cross-section, is provided for adjustably connecting the sections i2, i2, the .plate 3| fitting over the plates 28, 28 with the legs of the channel slidably fitting in the steps 3@. Preferably, the overall width of the connecting plate 3| is substantially equal to the width of the sections [2, l2 so that a smooth stencil guide is provided by the side marginal surface of the plate 3| and the side marginal surfaces of the sections l2l2 regardless of the position of adjustment.

The plate 31 is formed with aligned elongated slots 32, 32 for passage of rivets 33, 33. The body of each rivet extends through the aperture 29 in the respective plates 28 and through aligned apertures in respective portions l2b, 21), and is headed over, as shown in Figures 3 and Thus, the plate 3| and the sections 12-52 are tied together and the legs of the plate 3! ride in the steps 30 so that the plate 3| and portions 4 I26, I21; are held to rectilinear relative movement.

The letter A in Figure l is shown in its minimum size and for stencilling operations a user may paint in the space 35, using defining surfaces of the frame as guide means to perfectly outline the letter. The tie-connectors I4, 26 and 21 are preferably arched so as not to interfere with stencilling operations. It will be appreciated that the contour surfaces 36 and 31 may also be used in outlining a letter, and such surfaces are used. to provide a letter having a wider outline. Of course, any combination of the contour surfaces may be used, if desired.

In Figure 6], the numeral 36 shows the letter A produced bystencilling in the space 35 (Figure 1), with the frame at minimum size. In the event it is desired to make a wider letter A, the frame is laterally expanded by separating sections li -12, I2ar--l2a, Iii-l5, and i i-24, and in fully laterally expanded relation, the letter A is produced as seen at 3'! in Figure 6.

The frame, as seen in Figure I, may be longitudinally expanded and in such event the sections |Zl2 and 29-26, l2ai2a and l5l5, 20-426 and 2222, and 22-22 and 24-24 are longitudinally separated to elongate the letter A as shown at 33 in Figure 6.

It will be appreciated that any desired combination of lateral and longitudinal expansion may be effected merely by separating cooperating sections a predetermined amount. In fully expanded lateral and longitudinal relation, the letter A is produced as shown at 39 in Figure 6.

In Figure 5, the numeral 5" is shown at 40 as produced by a suitable frame in fully contracted position. The reference character 44 shows the numeral 5 as produced when the frame is fully expanded laterally, and the reference character 42 shows the numeral as produced when the frame is fuily expanded longitudinally. Finally, the reference character 43 shows the numeral 5 as produced by a frame that has been fully expended both laterally and longitudinally.

It will be appreciated that suitable frames may be produced for any other letters, numbers, symbols or indicia of any kind.

Instead of the plate construction hereinbefore specified, the frame may be made of telescoping tubing, as shown in Figure 7.

For use in job shops, or for any other use, one set of alphabet letters, and one set of numbers will suffice for most practical purposes because of the great flexibility in the size of frames. The tie-connectors I4, 26 and 2? not only impart rigidity to the structure but also provide means for handling the frames. It will be appreciated that the frames may be maintained in proper operating relationship by merely dipping such frames in a paint solvent following use.

In View of the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment herein described may be variously changed and modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described, hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiment is illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. An adjustable frame for forming a stencil character of varying dimensions upon a surface, comprising a plurality of elongated frame members disposed in end to end relation for outlining said character, a plurality of elongated connecting members superposed upon and respectively spanning the adjacent ends of a pair of aligned frame members, said connecting members and said frame members each having the same transverse dimension to define therealong a smooth coincidental continuous edge for outlining said stencil character, and means for adjustably securing said connecting members to adjacent ends of said frame members to permit relative movement of the assembled members to vary the size of the stencil character without affecting the aforesaid smooth unbroken outline thereof, and tie connectors extending between disconnected parts of said frame when required.

2.An adjustable frame for forming a stencil character of varying dimensions upon a surface, comprising a plurality of elongated frame members disposed in end to end relation for outlining said character, said rrame members each having inwardly offset longitudinal edges, a plurality of elongated connecting members superposed upon and respectively spanning the adjacent ends of a pair of aligned frame members, said connecting members each having vertical flanges on their opposite longitudinal edges engaging said offset frame member edges to hold the frame members in longitudinal alignment, said connecting members and said frame members each having the same transverse dimension to define therealong a smooth coincidental continuous edge for outlining said stencil chara-cter, means for adjustably securing said connecting members to adjacent ends of said frame members to permit relative movement of the assembled members to vary the size of the stencil character Without affecting the aforesaid smooth coincidental outline thereof, and tie connectors between disconnected parts of said frame when required.

WILLIAM J. KERR.

Country Date Germany Nov. 26, 1919 Germany Jan. 17, 1931 Number Number 

